16 Apr 2026

Vietnam moves to eliminate risky slaughterhouses

Vietnam plans to phase out 25,000 small-scale slaughterhouses, aiming to strengthen food safety and disease control nationwide.

Valerie Nguyen

aviNews Asia

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Tiếng Việt

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Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

Vietnam is moving to consolidate and gradually eliminate nearly 25,000 small-scale livestock and poultry slaughter points. These facilities are widely seen as food safety risks and obstacles to effective disease control.

Stronger inspections and regulatory enforcement

Following Official Dispatch No. 26 from the Prime Minister on strengthening slaughterhouse management, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has launched nationwide inspection campaigns. These focus on veterinary hygiene and food safety compliance, while also shutting down unlicensed operations.

Within the current structure, pig slaughter accounts for the largest share, with nearly 17,800 small-scale facilities.

Pig slaughter dominates the current structure, with almost 17,800 small-scale facilities. Many operate in residential areas during early morning hours, often without licenses or regular oversight.

Hanoi pushes centralized transition

Hanoi has identified small-scale slaughtering as a critical bottleneck requiring urgent action this year. The city plans to establish 70–80 temporary centralized slaughter points at commune and ward levels by June 30.

Around 585 small-scale facilities must relocate or shift to alternative livelihoods. This transition prepares for stricter rules allowing only licensed slaughter and processing facilities to supply animal products.

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Toward nationwide elimination

The first pilot centralized slaughter facility in Phuc Loc commune has proven effective and could be replicated more broadly. From July 1, Hanoi will follow Ho Chi Minh City in enforcing stronger measures to phase out small-scale slaughtering.

If restructuring is carried out consistently across nearly 25,000 facilities, Vietnam’s slaughter control system will be strengthened. This would raise veterinary hygiene standards and reduce food safety risks nationwide.

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